Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Brett Andrew Tomky

Daniel Clark Park

Errol Mark Tazbaz

Ivan Andrew McCracken

Denys V Yaremenko

Duane Martin Evans

Nicholas Benjamin Wendt

Devin Samuel Jacob Caplow-Munro

Karsten Aagaard

Kurt Jenkins

Eric Paul Witt

Tung Yuen Lau

Timothy Jerome Coomes

Luke Schwartzel

Anne Maristella Pirie

Kabir Siddiqui

Liang Zhang

Katherine Bailey

Brian David Bitz

Neil O'Connell

Christopher Alan Schafer

Christina Ashley Yee

David Kazmierz Szczypinski

Bonggwon Ji

Devin Caplow-munro

Kurt Allen Jenkins

Ivan Andrew Mccracken

A foldable computing device comprises a first portion, a second portion, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a flexible display. The flexible display extends at least partially across the first portion and at least partially across the second portion, and spans the hinge assembly between the first portion and the second portion. The hinge assembly includes a hinge core, a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion and forming a portion of a backing support for the flexible display, and a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion. The hinge assembly further includes a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion and forming another portion of the backing support for the flexible display, and a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion.

Computing device with hinge and flexible display

A foldable computing device comprises a first portion, a second portion, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a flexible display. The hinge assembly includes a hinge core, a timing element, a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, and a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion. The first linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element, and the second linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element. The timing element coordinates rotation of the first linkage component with rotation of the second linkage component.

Timing mechanism for foldable computing device

Hinged computing devices often connect two components via one or more hinges, using either a door-hinge style or other conventional hinge style. Presenting a continuous visual impression of the computing device to the user, with any gaps covered, provides protection to internal components and suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user. Using conventional hinges, achieving a 360-degree range of motion is difficult, and often requires a pair of hinges connected by a spine to accommodate the respective thicknesses of the two hinged components in all orientations. However, using a pair of conventional hinges connected by a spine to achieve a 360-degree range of motion can yield a variable gap between the spine and the hinged components. The presently disclosed technology is directed to mechanically deterministic sliding covers that conceal these variable gaps, while still maintaining a 360-degree range of motion of the computing device.

Computing device hinge with sliding cover

Examples are disclosed that relate to the rotational mounting of a display device to another supporting structure, such as a stand or a wall. One example provides a system comprising a display device, a support structure configured to be mounted to another structure to thereby support the display device on the other structure, and a mechanical interface rotationally connecting the display device and the support structure. The mechanical interface comprises three or more rail segments including a cam rail segment comprising a cam, and for each rail segment, one or more corresponding rollers, a roller for the cam rail segment being a follower and being coupled with a spring configured to bias the follower toward the cam rail segment.

Incorporating cam into rail of rotational mount

The description relates to hinged devices. One example relates to a device that has a first portion hingedly secured along a spine and a second portion hingedly secured along the spine. The example can also include a first spine cover secured relative to the spine and extending into the first portion and a second spine cover secured relative to the spine and extending into the second portion. An extent to which the first spine cover extends into the first portion and the second spine cover extends into the second portion is controlled by an angular orientation of the first and second portions.

Hinged device with a flexible display

Examples are disclosed that relate to locking mechanisms, display assemblies, and methods for modifying a mounting assembly of a display assembly to enable rotation of a display. In one example, a locking mechanism comprises a lock block mounted for rotation with the display. The locking mechanism also comprises a lever rotatably coupled to a plate of the mounting assembly. The lever comprises a lock tab that blocks movement of the lock block when the lever is in a locked position and allows movement of the lock block when the lever is in an unlocked position.

Display rotation locking mechanism

The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion and a second portion that are rotatably coupled by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly can include a hinge frame secured to the first portion and a hinge arm secured to the second portion. The hinge frame can be rotatably secured to the hinge arm by a band extending between a guide pin retained in the hinge frame and a friction pin secured to the hinge arm.

Low profile device hinge assembly

A friction hinge is described. In at least some implementations, the described friction hinge enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. According to various implementations, a friction hinge includes different friction stages where movement of the hinge is based on different activity mechanisms.

Friction hinge

A friction hinge is described. Generally, the friction hinge provides a variable torque profile for a movable component. In an example, the friction hinge includes a hinge frame; a pivot member pivotably engaged with the hinge frame, the pivot member being attached to a support component movably attached to a device; an elongated member attached to the to hinge frame, the elongated member having a ramped surface on at least a first portion of the elongated member; and an engagement member slidably engaged with the elongated member, the engagement member configured to slide along the elongated member during pivoting of the pivot member relative to the hinge frame, the sliding of the engagement member along the taped surface of the elongated member causing variations in a sliding friction based on an amount of change in surface height over longitudinal distance of the ramped surface and contributing to a torque profile of the hinge.

Hinge with variable sliding friction

Disclosed herein are hinge devices having reduced or minimized free play. Specifically, disclosed herein are hinge devices having surface elements positioned on a surface of a hinge component to reduce or eliminate any free play present between interacting hinge components. In one or more embodiments, the hinge includes a first hinge component having a first guide and a second hinge component having a second guide, wherein the second hinge component is rotatably mounted on at least one surface of the first hinge component such that the first guide is positioned within the second guide or the second guide is positioned within the first guide. At least one surface element is disposed on a surface of the first guide or the second guide to provide a reduction in free play at a location of the at least one surface element.

Hinge with minimized free play

A friction hinge is described. Generally, the friction hinge provides a variable torque profile for a movable component.

An electronic connector includes a base, an extension protruding from the base, and a nose forming a terminal end of the extension. The extension includes first and second connection faces and ground electrical contacts located along the first and second connection faces.

Electronic connector

Extendable connector ports are described herein that may be implemented in thin computing devices. An extendable connector port includes a floor, tongue, and roof that expand from a closed position stored within a computing device to an open position that extends away from the computing device. An extension mechanism of the extendable connector port maintains a parallel orientation of the floor, tongue, and roof and gaps in the extendable connector port when the port extends to the open position. The extendable connector port may then be collapsed into the closed position by reducing or eliminating gaps between the floor, tongue, and roof, so that the connector port is thinner in its closed position than it is in its open position. This collapsibility of the extendable connector port allows thin computing devices to include ports that are thicker than a housing of the device.

Extendable connector port

A support component for an apparatus is described. In at least some implementations, a support component is attached to an apparatus (e.g., a computing device) via a hinge mechanism. The support component can serve as a 'kickstand' that can be positioned via the hinge mechanism to support the apparatus in a variety of orientations relative to an adjacent surface. In at least some embodiments, a support component includes hinge mounts via which the support component is attached to hinges of an associated apparatus. The support component and associated hinge mounts, for instance, can be manufactured separately and/or via different manufacturing processes, and attached during a production process.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Brett Andrew Tomky